Novel method of shielding hot surface and imroving panel heaters

ABSTRACT

Novel method of shielding hot surface and improving panel heaters ( 1 ). The method relates to new system of shield comprising of shield ( 3 ) and corner pieces ( 2 ) that not only cover the hot surface of panel heaters ( 1 ) but also facilitates second path of convection currents for space heating by maintaining optimum current space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to new system of Shield that not only covers the hot surface of panel heaters but also facilitates second path of convection currents for space heating.

PRIOR ART

FIG. 1A represents the heating panel with mounting holes and FIG. 1B represents heating panel mounted on mounting legs bolted to the wall. There are heaters manufactured to have dual convection air currents, however there is no heater with choice of single and double convection from same heater. Also we have not come across any prior art converting panel heaters into double convection heaters and with added safety.

Location dedicated panel heaters are mounted with a gap against wall to create natural Convection Currents. The trapped air in between the electrically heated panel and partition walls gets heated. Hot air travels up to be replaced by cool air from bottom. Thus, natural Convection currents are formed and heat the space of the room.

The visual surface of the panel radiates heat and is usually at temperatures exceeding 80° C. This surface temperature is dependent upon the density of power for unit area and the temperature of ambient air. These surface temperatures will make the panels hot to touch although it will not cause burns. However it is inconvenient for kids and pets and not acceptable to some customers. This novel invention will make it safer and more acceptable.

Although the invention has been described below with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of this invention is to convert all such heaters at will by a shield that forms second current of convection air and greatly reduce the surface temperature on the shield which is exposed to touch. It is necessary to determine optimum gap between heater surface and shield to proportion the heat dissipated by convection and radiation. This is needed to avoid over heating of the panel and components. Thus the objective is to develop and place a heat shield at a position that will not greatly increase panel temperatures but will result in comfortable temperatures on the surface of shield. The design developed is unique that the shield can be readily installed and removed with ease on mounting system of panel when holes are drilled and mounting legs are fixed on which a panel is mounted. There are other panel mounting methods also where same principle can be used to mount shield.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to this invention there is provided a process for preparation of a Bracket Assembly and shield that not only covers the hot surface of panel heaters but also facilitates second path of convection currents for space heating. The design developed is unique that the shield can be readily installed and removed with ease on compatible mounting system of panel when holes are drilled and mounting legs are fixed on which a panel is mounted. Further advantages of this invention will be evident from the detailed description. The bracket assembly determines the gap created between Shield and Panel surface.

The present invention uses a uniquely designed corner mounting pieces that can be slipped on same mounting legs and the shield is then fixed in between these corner pieces. The corner piece is designed as in FIG. 2.

The Bracket Assembly consists of a Bracket Bottom Plate (1) as shown in the FIG. 2. On this Bracket Bottom Plate a plate holding Bottom Plate (2) as shown in the FIG. 2 is fixed. A Vertical Plate (3) as shown in the FIG. 2 to hold the bracket Plate is mounted on the Bracket Bottom plate. Top Bracket Plate (4) as shown in the FIG. 2 is joined with Vertical Plate 3 and Vertical Plate (4) as shown in the FIG. 2 to hold the Bracket Plate. The Bracket Assembly has a Space (S) to insert the shield. The size or height and length of the Corner piece or Bracket Assembly can be varied to suit the size of the Shield and the area to be protected. Although the bracket is shown with separate plates, the bracket can be moulded into one piece

After the panel is mounted on the wall fixing mounting legs, these corner pieces are also pushed on the mounting legs at bottom two positions and are secured by caps or screws. The shield will be inserted into two corner pieces on top and into already mounted corner pieces at bottom.

One typical method is illustrated for better understanding the novelty and usefulness of this invention. (FIG. 3)

Assuming mounting legs are fixed to partition wall, the panel is mounted onto the mounting legs as per normal practice. Then bottom corner pieces M & M 2 are pushed on mounting leg and the caps or other fixers are inserted. The shield of any suitable material of corresponding dimension is inserted into corner pieces M, & M 2. Top corner pieces are placed on the shield and the corner pieces are pushed onto top mounting legs. Cap or other fixer is inserted. The shield is in place with a gap determined by the construction of corner pieces. As per FIG. 3 it will be thickness of (1) and (2) of FIG. 2 added.

Experiments conducted to determine various gaps between panel surface and shield give temperatures differently.

The assembly with a density of heat lOOw/sft is tested for temperatures and typical results for three gaps are shown below:

-   No guard. Guard with 12 mm. Guard with 20 mm. Guard with 30 mm -   Surface of panel: 85 to 90° C. 135° C. 90° C. 85° C. -   Temperature on Guard: NA 48° C. 58° C. 55° C.     From the above results the guard should be placed with a minimum of     20 mm gap to proportion second convection and radiant heat, so that     the panel surface is not significantly altered and radiant heat     maintains shield temperature of around 55° C. which is safe.

Sequence of assembly is shown in FIG. 3 and also shown is the panel with front shield fixed FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 represents typical shield. Other shapes can also be mounted. Shields can be shaped to choose the exposed portion of heating panel including zero exposure. The corner pieces need to be suitably modified.

The shield can have spacer-stopper suitably placed so that in case of push on shield the load is transferred to the rigid heating panel. These shields can also be coloured using normal colours or painted as desired and changed easily as per choice. Such shields can also be fixed to standing panel heaters by fixing on one or two sides of such panels. The dimensions mentioned are to illustrate as examples and are not limiting factors of this disclosure.

It is also observed that if the shield is provided with holes to have about 10% area perforated, temperature of heating panel further comes down without altering guard temperature significantly. 

1. A method to mount shield onto heater with hot exposed surfaces to create secondary convection current and to guard against touching hot surfaces by maintaining minimum gap of 20 mm.
 2. The shield as Claimed in claim 1, can be placed at a fixed distance from heating panel to provide second convection current at with gap above 20° C. to optimize proportioning heat dissipated by convection and radiation.
 3. A shield as Claimed in claim 1, can designed to cover, designed or complete portion of hot surface of panel
 4. A shield as Claimed in claim 1, with holes that further increases proportion of radiant heat and further reduces shield temperature.
 5. A shield as Claimed in claim 1, due to its lower temperature can be painted or decorated by any surface sticker
 6. A shield as Claimed in claim 1, can be changed at will with ease
 7. The Complete Shield Assembly comprising of the Shield and the Corner piece or the Bracket Assembly Comprising of a Bottom Bracket Plate, a Vertical Plate to hold the top Bracket Plate and side Bracket Plate, having a Space to insert the Shield that maintains specified gap.
 8. The Shield and Bracket Assembly as Claimed in claim 6 can be of any suitable heat resistant material.
 9. The Corner piece or Bracket Assembly as Claimed in claim 6 can be suitably modified to suit the size and shape of the Shield which in turn depends on the mounting method of heating panels.
 10. The Bracket Assembly as Claimed in claim 6, though is shown with separate plates 1 to 5 the bracket as claimed can be moulded into one piece. 